tugboatinstitute

Tugboat Institute® member Brad Cleveland is a global expert in customer strategy and management. His recent book, Leading the Customer Experience, along with his LinkedIn Learning Courses and numerous articles, have been translated into a dozen languages. He is a sought after speaker and consultant worldwide.

When Brad was a young man, he had the opportunity to speak with W. Edwards Deming, who gave him a piece of profound advice: drive out the fear! Many years later, Brad has come to fully appreciate the role that fear can play in limiting performance and success in an organization. In this short Tugboat Institute talk, he reminds us how important it is to create a culture in our businesses where everyone - from the customer to the employee to the CEO - can operate free of fear.

Listen and be emboldened to help drive out the fear in your organization.

Tugboat Institute® member Brad Cleveland is a global expert in customer strategy and management. His recent book, Leading the Customer Experience, along with his LinkedIn Learning Courses and numerous articles, have been translated into a dozen languages. He is a sought after speaker and consultant worldwide.

When Brad was a young man, he had the opportunity to speak with W. Edwards Deming, who gave him a piece of profound advice: drive out the fear! Many years later, Brad has come to fully appreciate the role that fear can play in limiting performance and success in an organization. In this short Tugboat Institute talk, he reminds us how important it is to create a culture in our businesses where everyone - from the customer to the employee to the CEO - can operate free of fear.

Listen and be emboldened to help drive out the fear in your organization.

Anese Cavanaugh is the Founder and CEO of Active Choices, Inc., creator of the IEP Method, and the author of numerous books. The many tools she has developed and honed are all aimed at achieving the same goal; helping leaders take better care of themselves so they can build better companies, with cultures that thrive, and that create impact in the world.

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Anese shares her considerable wisdom on this topic and introduces us to the Intentional Energetic Presence (IEP) Method. She invites Evergreen® leaders, who already understand the importance of putting People First, to direct their care not only toward their families, employees, and communities, but also toward themselves.

Listen and be inspired to take care of yourself, and make it possible to increase your impact in the world.

Anese Cavanaugh is the Founder and CEO of Active Choices, Inc., creator of the IEP Method, and the author of numerous books. The many tools she has developed and honed are all aimed at achieving the same goal; helping leaders take better care of themselves so they can build better companies, with cultures that thrive, and that create impact in the world.

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Anese shares her considerable wisdom on this topic and introduces us to the Intentional Energetic Presence (IEP) Method. She invites Evergreen® leaders, who already understand the importance of putting People First, to direct their care not only toward their families, employees, and communities, but also toward themselves.

Listen and be inspired to take care of yourself, and make it possible to increase your impact in the world.

Tugboat Institute® member Dave Thrasher grew up watching his father found and build a company. When it came time for him to step into leadership, Dave was ready to take what his father had built and scale it. In the end, he founded his own offshoot of his father’s Evergreen® company, which is run today by his brother Dan, and he started the work of scaling, always with an eye to maintaining his core Evergreen values.

In this Tugboat Institute talk, Dave shares his learning about the ways Evergreen companies can scale successfully. Many of them are the strategies used widely by companies of all types, but he has modified where necessary to ensure that as he scales, his growing company stays fully aligned with the 7Ps principles and the Evergreen mindset. He has had astounding success.

Listen and be inspired to explore new growth opportunities in an Evergreen way.

Tugboat Institute® member Dave Thrasher grew up watching his father found and build a company. When it came time for him to step into leadership, Dave was ready to take what his father had built and scale it. In the end, he founded his own offshoot of his father’s Evergreen® company, which is run today by his brother Dan, and he started the work of scaling, always with an eye to maintaining his core Evergreen values.

In this Tugboat Institute talk, Dave shares his learning about the ways Evergreen companies can scale successfully. Many of them are the strategies used widely by companies of all types, but he has modified where necessary to ensure that as he scales, his growing company stays fully aligned with the 7Ps principles and the Evergreen mindset. He has had astounding success.

Listen and be inspired to explore new growth opportunities in an Evergreen way.

The conversation about race in our society is difficult but it is extremely important. Tugboat Institute® member Mel Gravely, CEO of TriVersity Construction, has not only spent a lot of time thinking about it, he has written a book about it. In 2021, he shared lessons and insights from his book, Dear White Friend: The Realities of Race, the Power of Relationships, and Our Path to Equity, at our Tugboat Institute Summit. We asked him to give us an update this year.
 
In this short Tugboat Institute talk, Mel reminds us that the work to be done on this front is going to take a long time. We need to renew our commitment to focus on it not just today, but repeatedly going forward. He shares his own priorities and plans to stay engaged. 
 
Listen and be inspired to do the same. 

The conversation about race in our society is difficult but it is extremely important. Tugboat Institute® member Mel Gravely, CEO of TriVersity Construction, has not only spent a lot of time thinking about it, he has written a book about it. In 2021, he shared lessons and insights from his book, Dear White Friend: The Realities of Race, the Power of Relationships, and Our Path to Equity, at our Tugboat Institute Summit. We asked him to give us an update this year.
 
In this short Tugboat Institute talk, Mel reminds us that the work to be done on this front is going to take a long time. We need to renew our commitment to focus on it not just today, but repeatedly going forward. He shares his own priorities and plans to stay engaged. 
 
Listen and be inspired to do the same. 

When the artisan jewelers at James Avery create their pieces, they aim to make keepsakes that are imbued with meaning and that will be cherished by customers for a lifetime, if not more. Throughout Texas and beyond, their jewelry is often passed down from generation to generation. This deeply Evergreen® company is beloved by customers and employees alike. 

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, CEO John McCullough shares some history of this remarkable company, from its humble beginnings to today. In addition, he shares the reasons why the company has gradually moved toward vertical integration. Although it comes with certain costs and limitations, vertical integration has afforded them a level of independence and agility that has allowed them to remain strong in the face of recent crises, and ultimately, to serve their community better.

Listen and be inspired by the history and learnings of this profoundly People First and Purpose driven company.

When the artisan jewelers at James Avery create their pieces, they aim to make keepsakes that are imbued with meaning and that will be cherished by customers for a lifetime, if not more. Throughout Texas and beyond, their jewelry is often passed down from generation to generation. This deeply Evergreen® company is beloved by customers and employees alike. 

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, CEO John McCullough shares some history of this remarkable company, from its humble beginnings to today. In addition, he shares the reasons why the company has gradually moved toward vertical integration. Although it comes with certain costs and limitations, vertical integration has afforded them a level of independence and agility that has allowed them to remain strong in the face of recent crises, and ultimately, to serve their community better.

Listen and be inspired by the history and learnings of this profoundly People First and Purpose driven company.

John Garrett is Founder & CEO of Community Impact Newspaper, an Evergreen® company in Pflugerville, Texas. He has discovered that towns and cities value companies that bring good into their communities, and that, in fact, they are often willing to offer incredible incentives through economic development deals.

In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, John shares how his own company benefited from an economic development deal, as well as some of the types of incentives that can be available. He encourages leaders of Evergreen companies to pursue these deals, and offers advice on how to prepare to step into those conversations.

Listen and be inspired to look for opportunities in your own community, or in a community you are considering entering.

John Garrett is Founder & CEO of Community Impact Newspaper, an Evergreen® company in Pflugerville, Texas. He has discovered that towns and cities value companies that bring good into their communities, and that, in fact, they are often willing to offer incredible incentives through economic development deals.

In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, John shares how his own company benefited from an economic development deal, as well as some of the types of incentives that can be available. He encourages leaders of Evergreen companies to pursue these deals, and offers advice on how to prepare to step into those conversations.

Listen and be inspired to look for opportunities in your own community, or in a community you are considering entering.

Under the leadership of CEO Lisa Ingram, White Castle has entered into an era of significant product innovation and it is thriving. In order to keep its vast, devoted customer base happy by preserving what it loves about White Castle and yet stay relevant for future generations, Lisa has leaned on her best source of new ideas: her employees and her customers.

In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, Lisa shares how her profoundly People First orientation has allowed her to achieve the impressive feat of balancing a love for the past with a willingness to step into the future.

Watch and be inspired by the rich and impressive history of this 100 year old Evergreen® company.

Under the leadership of CEO Lisa Ingram, White Castle has entered into an era of significant product innovation and it is thriving. In order to keep its vast, devoted customer base happy by preserving what it loves about White Castle and yet stay relevant for future generations, Lisa has leaned on her best source of new ideas: her employees and her customers.

In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, Lisa shares how her profoundly People First orientation has allowed her to achieve the impressive feat of balancing a love for the past with a willingness to step into the future.

Watch and be inspired by the rich and impressive history of this 100 year old Evergreen® company.

Listen to Lester’s podcast from Tugboat Institute® Summit 2021 and learn more about this initiative and about Forest Gardens.

Listen to Lester’s podcast from Tugboat Institute® Summit 2021 and learn more about this initiative and about Forest Gardens.

In 2005, Conni Reed left a 16-year corporate career to launch her company, Consuela. In the wake of what she describes as “an early mid-life crisis,” Conni felt called to live an authentic, meaningful life and build a business that would make a difference in the lives of women and Mexican artisans. In the years since, she has poured her passion and creativity into Consuela, a handbag and accessories company based in Texas that vibrantly reflects the joy and beauty–her “magic”– she wants to contribute to the world.

 In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, Conni shares her story of personal and professional Perseverance – a journey that led to her current success and her ongoing mission to support and celebrate women who impact the world in positive ways.

 Listen and be inspired by this Evergreen® story of Purpose and passion.

In 2005, Conni Reed left a 16-year corporate career to launch her company, Consuela. In the wake of what she describes as “an early mid-life crisis,” Conni felt called to live an authentic, meaningful life and build a business that would make a difference in the lives of women and Mexican artisans. In the years since, she has poured her passion and creativity into Consuela, a handbag and accessories company based in Texas that vibrantly reflects the joy and beauty–her “magic”– she wants to contribute to the world.

 In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, Conni shares her story of personal and professional Perseverance – a journey that led to her current success and her ongoing mission to support and celebrate women who impact the world in positive ways.

 Listen and be inspired by this Evergreen® story of Purpose and passion.

Strong Roots & Strong Branches—The Power Of Diversification

Michael Spraggins, CEO of Spraggins, Inc., is a great admirer of the Southern Live Oak tree. According to Michael, the roots of the Southern Live Oak are wide and deep, and when you prune its branches the tree gets stronger. For Michael this tree is the ideal metaphor for his Florida based construction supply business.

In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, Michael shares how he built a diversified, global company through the hard-earned life lessons that only failure can produce. Over time and by strategically “pruning” his vision of expansion, Michael grew a thriving family owned company that allowed him to nurture some other branches in his life—being a dad to his daughters and a developing the nonprofit African healthcare organization, LifeNet International.

Listen and be inspired by this Evergreen® story of professional and personal growth.

Strong Roots & Strong Branches—The Power Of Diversification

Michael Spraggins, CEO of Spraggins, Inc., is a great admirer of the Southern Live Oak tree. According to Michael, the roots of the Southern Live Oak are wide and deep, and when you prune its branches the tree gets stronger. For Michael this tree is the ideal metaphor for his Florida based construction supply business.

In this Tugboat Institute® podcast, Michael shares how he built a diversified, global company through the hard-earned life lessons that only failure can produce. Over time and by strategically “pruning” his vision of expansion, Michael grew a thriving family owned company that allowed him to nurture some other branches in his life—being a dad to his daughters and a developing the nonprofit African healthcare organization, LifeNet International.

Listen and be inspired by this Evergreen® story of professional and personal growth.